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The fear of missing something amazing to see or even more terrifying, knocking into something, kept her from blinking. Everything was so elegant and expensive looking, not to mention extremely well kept, that Ashley didn't even dare to breathe. She hardly kept track of where she was following Mr. Takeshita (something she definitely didn't usually do when with a stranger), much too occupied with sights around her. The palace...er hotel, was even more beautiful on the inside than the outside and she wouldn't have believed it so if she wasn't seeing it with her own eyes. Paintings of landscapes and people hung on the walls, pottery and antique objects stood glimmering within glass cases.  Her hands were itching to bring out her camera again but she figured she would have time later if she was going to stay here. Abruptly, her guide had stopped walking, waiting for her to catch up as he stood by two red doors covered with golden carvings of many flowers. 'Please don't tell me this is my room...' she thought, already much too overwhelmed and wondering just what laid inside.  

Two women wearing orange and yellow kimonos stood on either side of the doors. Small ornaments jingled from their hair on top of their heads as they bowed at Ashley. Blushing slightly, she tried to bow back, still not used to such respectful actions towards her. One of the women announced something in Japanese in a loud voice as they pushed the doors open, the only words recognizable to her was 'Takeshita san'. Ashley lips parted open as her eyes fell upon the ballroom sized room. Sheer curtains of gold and red hung low from the ceiling, sculptures made from what seemed like wood or gold stood gracefully, and portraits of men and woman in traditional Japanese wear lined the walls. The most eye catching of all, was a small platform at the end of the room where four chairs...or thrones stood in all its glory. Occupying two of the thrones in the middle were - suddenly her vision was blocked by Mr. Takeshita who hurriedly walked in the room. Feeling a little like a lost duckling, she quickly followed him in as the doors behind her groaned shut. The room seemed even more ginormous when she looked from the inside. She resisted the strong urge to just stand in the middle and turn in circles for five minutes, just to imprint everything in her mind. But the clear voice of a woman interrupted her thoughts, and her attention was all but captured by the two people sitting on the thrones at the front of the room. A gasp escaped her as she looked at the man and women draped in silks of red, orange, yellow, and cream. The man looked to be in his forties, slight crinkles around his eyes and a black goatee on his face, reminding her of a younger version of Santa Claus- the man radiated a sense of comfort and wisdom. Except Santa didn't wear several colorfully jeweled rings on his fingers and most definitely didn't have hair gathered at the top of his head in a bun. Ashley's eyes, unconsciously trailed down to the large gleaming medallion handing down the man's neck, resting on the silk of his intricate kimono. Her gaze then wandered over to the source of the voice, the women had red painted lips and gold ornaments piled on her ebony black hair. Graceful was the first word that popped in Ashley's head as she stood in awe. If she didn't feel like she was transported into a historical drama before, she sure did feel like it now.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Mr. Takeshita bow a full to the ground, his head low. Feeling a bit awkward, Ashley wondered if she should follow his lead. But she felt too uncomfortable to bow fully so instead, opted to bow halfway. 'Are they actors for the hotel? To make it seem like a real palace for tourists?' she thought, straightening herself and catching the look of amusement now on the faces of the man and women. Willing a small smile back, she waited patiently for something - anything to happen. "Was your trip comfortable dear?" a smooth voice, with just a hint of an accent asked in English. Once again surprised, she stuttered out a, "Y-yes it was. Thank you". The woman chuckled at her failed attempt to mask her expression of shock and Ashley could feel her cheeks heat up slightly. Her whole day was filled with surprises yet she didn't seem any where used to it. "I'll have Takeshita put your belongings in your room." she said, looking expectantly at Mr.Takeshita who simply left the room, while continuing to keep his head low. “Um, thank you. I'm sorry for asking this but do you know my father and mother?” she asked, her head tilting slightly to the right, hoping it wasn't too weird to ask random hotel actors. “Oh you don't have to apologize. And yes, we do know your parents. In fact, we’re good friends.” the man said, a soft smile crinkling his eyes. “Oh really? Then...are you the owners of this hotel?” she asked, taking a small step forward. The man and women blinked a few times, a moment of silence stretched out before looking at each other, then back to her. “Hotel?” the man asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion. “Yes, isn't this...a hotel?” she said, looking around the room once again. “N-no...dear this isn't a hotel. This is a palace.

And more importantly...this is your new home.”

Scrunching her eyebrows together, she shook her head slightly, “I'm sorry but...this is an actual palace?”. “Yes it is” the woman said, an amused smiled on her face. “T-then that means your the-” she began, feeling her heart pound against her ribs. “That's right. I am Emperor Kaito Hibiki Himura  and this is my wife, Empress Ayame Haru Himura”. Ashley took several steps back, her habit of tucking her baby hair behind her ears suddenly triggering. She had never been in the presence of such high ranking people before. “It's a pleasure to meet you both.” she said, bowing again, hoping that her manners pulled through. With her mind a bit more intact, one thing suddenly pierced through her mind. ‘Huh? Home?’ she thought, looking up at the Emperor and Empress with wide eyes. “Um, what did you mean by home?”. The Empress smiled at her, “I know it may take some time to adjust but please know that no matter what, this is your home.” she said. But the Empresses gentle look only made her more confused. It was filled with so much warmth...for her, a stranger. ‘What is she…?’ Ashley thought, turning to the Emperor for help. But the scrunch of his eyebrows matched her own and an emotion she couldn't identify in his eyes set a heavy feeling in the base of her stomach. Ashley's instincts were unusually accurate, even to a point where her friends believed her to be psychic and right now she could tell something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. “You don't know do you?” the Emperor said, his voice suddenly serious with a hint of...sadness? The Empress and Ashley turned to him at the same time. “Don't know what Your Majesty?” Ashley asked, no longer caring if her address to the emperor was proper or not. “Did your parents not tell you why you came here?” he asked. “Yes, for studying…” she said, suddenly not sure herself. The Emperor and Empress exchanged looks of worry, only deepening her unsettling feeling. “Oh sweetheart…” the Empress said, her now graceful features shrouded with hesitance and sadness. The Emperor shook his head and rose from his throne. Pushing his robe back, he walked down the platform and stood in front of her. The look on his face scared her, it was filled with sympathy. But for what? And his calm voice only warned her of the storm that was to come.

“Ashley, the reason you're here is because you've been engaged to our eldest son from the moment you were born.

It was a promise between your father and I...

and now it's time to fulfill it....”

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